Huat Zai

 

SINGAPORE: A 31-year-old man, Muhammad Danial Sukirman, was sentenced to 20 days in jail on Wednesday (24 April) for neglecting 43 cats found in a vacant flat in Ang Mo Kio.

Danial pleaded guilty to 10 charges of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to animals as a pet owner.

Additional 34 charges under the Animal and Birds Act were considered during sentencing, including one for failing to comply with a notice from AVS.

Court documents revealed Danial’s neglect of the cats between August and November 2021, citing inadequate provision of food and water.

NParks prosecutors highlighted the unprecedented scale of abandoned pets in an animal cruelty case.

This marked the first jail sentence under Section 42(1)(d) of the Act, focusing on neglect by pet owners, as reported by TODAY.

Ms Farisha, representing NParks, described the cats’ plight in the confined space, stressing the significance of the case.

The prosecution argued against a mere fine, considering Danial’s deliberate conduct and poor management of the cats’ living conditions.

In his defence, Danial expressed remorse and cited being the sole breadwinner.

However, District Judge Lorraine Ho sided with the prosecution, acknowledging the health hazards posed by the neglected cats to the neighbourhood, thus justifying the jail sentence.

Neglected cats found in unattended flat

The case gained attention when reports of a foul odour emanating from a public housing unit surfaced on 5 November 2021.

Upon investigation, police officers discovered the unattended flat, locked for approximately a month, with signs of cats inside.

Concerned about the situation, they gained entry and found over 30 cats, including some skeletal remains.

Further inspections conducted jointly by NParks and Housing and Development Board (HDB) officers confirmed Danial as the owner of the cats found in the flat.

Danial admitted to being the owner of the 41 live cats, two deceased cats, and skeletal remains discovered in the vacant flat.

He acknowledged that the uncontrolled breeding of the cats resulted from their lack of sterilization.

Subsequently, he surrendered them to AVS.

 

 

On 2 May and 3 May, the Supreme Court will hold a damages hearing for the defamation suit filed by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Law, and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, against Mr Lee Hsien Yang (LHY).

The case stems from a Facebook post by LHY related to the Ridout Road saga, which previously concluded in the ministers’ favour,  following LHY’s failure to respond within the required timeframe, resulting in a default judgment for the ministers.

On 2 August 2023, the claimants commenced originating claim (OC) in the General Division of the High Court.

On 14 August, the two ministers’ legal team initially requested the court’s permission to serve the papers on LHY in the UK, where he currently resides, considering the Singapore court as the most appropriate venue for the case.

In their affidavits, Mr Shanmugam and Dr Balakrishnan highlighted their prominent roles as ministers in Singapore and underscored the relevance of the alleged defamatory statements to events in Singapore.

By 16 August, the court permitted the papers to be served on LHY outside its jurisdiction, the two ministers served legal papers concerning a defamation suit LHY via Facebook Messenger on 15 September last year.

In his verdict delivered on 27 November last year, Justice Goh said that he found strong reasons to apprehend that LHY would repeat the defamatory allegations and granted the injunction order sought by the claimants, restraining LHY from publishing or disseminating the alleged defamatory statements.

Central to the controversy are the remarks made by LHY in a Facebook post on 23 July last year, which stated, “Two ministers have leased state-owned mansions from the agency one oversees,” and included mentions of tree felling and state-funded renovations at the Ridout properties.

Mr Shanmugam, as the Minister for Law, oversees the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), which leases out the state-owned properties, including that which he rents on 26 Ridout Road.

The ministers argued that LHY’s comments in his 23 July 2023 post had implied corrupt practices, which they have vehemently denied as baseless and harmful to their reputations.

LHY, the brother of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and son of the late Lee Kuan Yew, maintains that his statements do not imply corruption or personal gain. He has criticized the ministers for demanding what he considers a “false apology” for accusations he never made.

The forthcoming court session, set to take place in Court 4E of the Supreme Court from 10 AM, aims to assess the damages LHY must pay.

The ministers previously proposed a S$25,000 charity donation as part of a broader retraction and apology before the commencement of the legal proceeding; however, they did not suggest a specific amount for court consideration. Typically, defamation damages in Singapore begin at S$250,000 in high court cases.

Representing the ministers is Davinder Singh Chambers LLC, with Senior Counsel Mr Davinder Singh at the helm—a distinguished legal figure and former People’s Action Party Member of Parliament, renowned for representing political figures in defamation such as in the defamation suits initiated by PM Lee and other high-profile cases, including the recent corruption charges against former Transport Minister S Iswaran.

LHY will not be represented at the hearing as he has chosen not to participate in the process. He previously expressed a preference for the United Kingdom as the venue for the litigation. However, the two ministers, advised by their legal team, argue that Singapore is “clearly and distinctly the most appropriate forum for the trial.”

 

Employment challenges are increasingly evident among graduates from private universities in Singapore, as fewer secured full-time jobs in 2023 compared to the previous year.

The latest findings from the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey, conducted by SkillsFuture Singapore, revealed a noticeable dip in full-time employment rates among these graduates.

In 2023, only 58.7 percent of private university graduates landed full-time permanent jobs within six months of finishing their studies, a decline from 60.9 percent in 2022. The survey also indicated a decrease in the number of graduates engaging in part-time or temporary work, with 18.9 percent in 2023, down from 20.5 percent the year prior. Conversely, there was a slight increase in freelance work among graduates, rising to 5.7 percent from 5.1 percent.

This trend underscores a widening gap in job security between private university graduates and their counterparts from autonomous universities, where 84.1 percent secured full-time permanent roles within the same timeframe. The employment rates for part-time or temporary roles and freelance work among graduates from autonomous universities were significantly lower, at 4 percent and 1.5 percent respectively.

Despite the employment struggles, the median gross monthly pay for private university graduates in full-time positions did see an increase, rising to $3,400 in 2023 from $3,200 in 2022. Graduates from the Singapore Institute of Management reported the highest median salary among private institutions at $3,500, while those from Kaplan Higher Education Academy earned the least, with a median salary of $3,000.

The survey’s findings highlight a concerning disparity not only in employment rates but also in salary levels when compared to graduates from autonomous universities, who reported a starting median salary of $4,313. The competitive disadvantage for private university graduates is becoming more pronounced, affecting both their career prospects and financial stability.

As private universities continue to navigate these challenging employment landscapes, the increase in economically inactive graduates – those either unemployed and actively seeking work or stuck in involuntary part-time positions – has risen to 19.4 percent. This is substantially higher than the rates observed among graduates from autonomous universities and post-national service polytechnic graduates, at 7.9 percent and 3.8 percent respectively.

The results of this survey, which involved responses from 40.8 percent of the 9,100 fresh graduates from 26 private institutions, paint a stark picture of the job market dynamics facing today’s graduates from private educational backgrounds.

 

SINGAPORE: A father’s plea for justice reverberates across social media platforms as he shares the harrowing tale of a hit-and-run incident involving his daughter.

The story, accompanied by video evidence, was shared on the Facebook page ROADS.sg on Thursday (25 April), shedding light on the turmoil endured by Fong LY and his family in the aftermath of the tragic event.

Despite presenting compelling evidence, including video footage and witness statements, Fong LY expresses deep disappointment at the apparent inaction of the traffic police regarding the case.

 

The incident, which transpired on 4 January 2024, saw Fong’s daughter becoming the victim of a hit-and-run by a vehicle identified by the police number SNM1858B.

The severity of the situation is underscored by the video evidence, which captures the black car striking a person as it makes a turn.

Sharing his turmoil, Fong stated, “I’m posting this because I’m at my wit’s end.”

Despite the compelling evidence at hand, Fong laments the lack of decisive action by the traffic police.

Efforts to escalate the matter to higher authorities within the traffic police have yielded little response, according to Fong’s account, with a feedback manager only assuring that their concern would be forwarded to the relevant investigator.

Adding to the distress, Fong highlighted that despite the passage of several months, the driver in question had not filed a police report.

He alleged that the driver denied hitting his daughter, as conveyed to him casually by the investigating officer on 23 January 2024.

He further disclosed that the investigating officer suggested the driver file a report, highlighting the mandatory nature of such action and the need to indicate in the statement that no collision occurred.

However, Fong notes that their lawyer has faced obstacles in obtaining crucial details and paid reports from the traffic police.

Shedding light on hit-and-run victims’ struggles

Fong emphasized that sharing their story serves to raise awareness about the plight of victims who have been hit but not fatally injured or paralyzed.

He posed a poignant question, “Does a person have to be deceased or paralyzed before the police will bring about justice? Is this what the traffic law in Singapore is?”

Despite being victims, Fong highlighted the additional burdens they face, including attending psychiatrist sessions and enduring nightmares.

They must also navigate the arduous process of providing documentation to their lawyer, who then submits them to relevant organizations, prolonging the quest for justice.

The emotional toll of the incident is palpable, with Fong mentioning the sacrifices made by parents, including time away from work, and the enduring fear and haunting images of the accident that will linger throughout their lives.

Fong directly appeals to the driver of SNM1858B, urging them to shed their cowardice and take responsibility for their actions.

“Watch the video since you are in denial of what you have done,” Fong stated firmly.

Netizens rally behind father seeking justice for daughter in hit-and-run tragedy

Several netizens offered advice and support to Fong, acknowledging the distressing ordeal he and his daughter are enduring.

One user empathized with Fong’s plight, emphasizing the importance of persistence in following up with the traffic police and higher authorities to ensure justice and accountability.

Additionally, they suggested seeking assistance from advocacy groups or legal aid organizations specializing in such cases to navigate the process effectively and address concerns.

Another user voiced worry about the seriousness of hit-and-run cases, wondering why action is taken only when victims are severely hurt.

They pointed out that the victim, a student, was simply crossing a traffic light when hit by a reckless driver.

They tagged the Singapore Police Force, stressing the importance of removing dangerous drivers from the streets to prevent further harm.

Addressing Minister for Home Affairs and Law, K Shanmugam, another user, pleaded for intervention in the matter, expressing concern that the investigating officer’s alleged negligence is unjust given the availability of video evidence.

They cited a recent case where swift action was taken, underscoring the need for consistency in ensuring justice.

Furthermore, one user urged pedestrians to remain vigilant, citing the increasing frequency of accidents involving pedestrians being hit by drivers.

They emphasized the importance of caution and alertness, attributing such incidents to drivers’ distractions or pedestrians’ inattentiveness while crossing roads.

41 minutes ago, coffeenut said:

I was thinking to start either Beastars or Frieren .. but never start This weekend also dunno if can

Didn't watch Beastars but Frieren is one of the better animes I've watched this year.

1 hour ago, noobmaster said:

So when are we going to have to wash our own dishes?

 

don't give them ideas

1 hour ago, noobmaster said:

 

changed

 

as long as during upload it is not flagged out as over signature limits should be ok right?

*Looks at  @noobmaster's new signature*

*right click, block*

Lai liao lai liao, sinkie fault and not white white stupid idea again.

 

11 minutes ago, The_King said:

Prof Straughan said: “If the whole community could step up to flesh out ideas, we could move a long way. My encouragement to Singaporeans is don’t wait for the next law to come out. This is our space, and we should take charge of it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, The_King said:

The diamond mining giant is moving its auction business headquarters to Botswana.

SINGAPORE: Diamond mining giant De Beers will be closing its office in Singapore as it relocates its auction business headquarters.

The company, which has offices in 11 markets, said in response to CNA's query on Friday (Apr 26) that it has decided to move its auction business headquarters to Botswana.

This will bring De Beers' global rough diamond trading activities “under one roof” as most of its rough diamond sale activities are already established in Gaborone, Botswana's capital, it said.

“The relocation, which will take place over the coming months, supports De Beers’ focus on streamlining its operations and enhancing the efficiency of its activities, while also facilitating further development of the diamond sector in Botswana,” the company told CNA.

The move will entail the closure of the De Beers Singapore office, it said, adding that it is currently in the process of engaging with employees whose roles are expected to be impacted by the relocation.

When asked, De Beers did not tell CNA how many employees would be affected by the move.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sin...ngaging-employees-relocating-botswana-4295011

Asians finally understanding that those stupid rocks have no value?

1 minute ago, kokleong said:

we have a cap of 100 reactions a day. have you hit that much?

Ohhhh didn't know that. I blame @ManOfTheHour and @noobmaster, reacted to too many of their chiobus and 'chiobus' photos

1 minute ago, The_King said:

ATB is poison

think of the money, just bite the bullet man.

7 minutes ago, The_King said:

The daughter of a Chinese nickel billionaire purchased a multimillion-dollar mansion in Singapore, adding to the list of wealthy people seizing buying opportunities during the market lull.

Xiang Yangyang, the daughter of Xiang Guangda, who owns Tsingshan Holding Group Co., the world’s largest nickel and stainless steelmaker, agreed to buy the 2,612 sqm (28,111 sq ft) house in the country’s Bin Tong Park enclave, according to a property record seen by Bloomberg News.

She paid $84 million for the property, a person familiar with the matter said, requesting not to be named because the information is private. The transaction was completed in mid-April. 

The younger Xiang, who is a Singapore citizen according to property records, didn’t respond to a message seeking comment. Tsingshan didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The purchase adds to a handful of deals softening the downturn in Singapore’s luxury property market. Coveted by the uber rich, the city state’s so-called good class bungalows have been hit by high interest rates and a major money laundering investigation. 

In recent months, some have taken advantage of the slowdown in the market. The wife of Sea Ltd.’s billionaire co-founder Forrest Li acquired a mansion for US$31 million ($42.5 million) and a scion of Singapore’s richest banking dynasty also dived in. 

 

The Business Times, which earlier reported the latest transaction, said that the property was bought from Nitin Sibal, a former hedge fund manager involved in the software and applications development business. He bought the land on which the mansion sits for $37.6 million in 2020.

@The_King what are you waiting for, time to use all your manliness and seduction skills.